OPerAtiOns MAnAGer, AdvertisinG Brian Feist brian@ColumbiaMediaGroup.com
PUBLisher, AdvertisinG dave Alexander dave@ColumbiaMediaGroup.com
diseAse identiFiCAtiOn Jeff Miller jeff@millerresearch.com
MArKet rePOrt Ben eborn napmn@napmn.com
POtAtO GrOwers OF wAshinGtOn dale Lathim dale@pgw.net
editOriAL inFOrMAtiOn
Potato Country is interested in newsworthy material related to potato production and marketing. Contributions from all segments of the industry are welcome. Submit news releases, new product submissions, stories and photos via email to: editor@ColumbiaMediaGroup.com.
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Email address changes/corrections to: brian@ColumbiaMediaGroup.com or send to Potato Country, PO Box 333, Roberts, ID 83444. Potato Country magazine (ISSN 0886-4780), is published eight times per year and mailed under a standard rate mailing permit at Idaho Falls, Idaho and at additional mailing offices. It is produced by: Columbia Media Group, PO Box 333, Roberts, ID 83444 Copyright 2024. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, for any purpose without the express written permission of Columbia Media Group.
soil health: Principles and Pitfalls
Keller, Editor
Apresentation about soil health set the stage for the remainder of the agenda items at this year’s Washington State University (WSU) Potato Field Day, held June 27 in Othello, Washington, as Andy McGuire, an agronomist with WSU, outlined two principles of soil health and three pitfalls to avoid.
Principle #1: Maximize Photosynthesis
McGuire started his talk by reminding growers about the importance of growing crops to maximize photosynthesis, explaining that sunlight energy turns into chemical energy, which provides life for organisms above and below ground. Maximizing that will give you more life in your soil. Adding stored, imported photosynthesis through the application of manure, compost and other organic amendments is another good way to maximize photosynthesis, he added.
The topic of soil health headlined the agenda at the WSU Potato Field Day.
WSU’s Jacob Blauer listens to graduate student Daphne Crum explain her research comparing field performance, storage performance and French fry quality of 12 popular russet potato varieties.
Story and photos by Denise
Principle #2: Minimize tillage
McGuire prefaced the second principle with an acknowledgement that potato growers wouldn’t like it, but went on to explain the importance of minimizing tillage.
“Why minimize tillage? Tillage is by far the biggest disturbance of your soil. It’s bigger than pesticides. It’s bigger than fumigants. So if we can minimize it, we’re going to benefit the soil,” McGuire said.
However, he added, growers need to till the soil in order to grow potatoes and other crops. Plus, each farm has to contend with regulations, climate and specific growing windows within the season.
“The challenge is figuring out how to get those principles going on your farm with all those constraints. And because of those constraints, you’re never going to be at maximum photosynthesis and you’re never going to eliminate tillage. So you have to figure out where you can be within that continuum for both of those principles,” McGuire concluded.
Pitfall #1: Assuming you have a soil health Problem
Moving on to the pitfalls to avoid, McGuire said he often sees growers assume they have a soil health problem. Fixing perceived problems can cost a lot of time and money. Instead, McGuire recommends asking yourself what real soil problem do you have and what can you do to address that specific problem. Possible problems might include erosion, slow water infiltration, poor drainage, soil crust preventing seedling emergence, soil-borne pests, and crops failing to recover nutrients. After identifying specific problems, growers can implement solutions to address those issues. McGuire added that often, solutions fall within the two soil health principles he covered: maximize photosynthesis and minimize tillage.
Pitfall #2: trying to Micromanage your soil Microbiology
McGuire gave his audience two reasons to avoid trying to micromanage their soil microbes. First, soil biology is not a specific problem, he said. So if you think you need to address your soil biology, you’re falling into pitfall #1. Second, when you apply microbes into
your soil through the use of extracts, manure, composts, inoculants, etc., research shows most die fairly rapidly. This happens because the microbes are adapted to conditions where they were produced, which are very different from
soil conditions in the field, and also because they are eaten by the billions of adapted native organisms already in the soil.
If you think your soil is missing some biology, ask why, keeping in mind that
Field day attendees look at an experiment set up to assess potatoes’ response to heat stress.
soil conditions determine what microbes are present and active. It’s a good bet to assume you have all the microbes you need in your soil; however, some might be dormant and not thriving because of the conditions.
“We have a huge diversity of organisms in the soil. You just have to provide the right conditions for them to thrive. You don’t have to add more microbes in many cases,” McGuire said. “It’s a kind of a ‘Field of Dreams’ strategy – if you build it, they will come. This is don’t disturb them and they will thrive.”
Reminding growers to employ soil health practices before applying commercial products, McGuire also clarified that he wasn’t saying that inoculants can’t work. Sometimes they survive just long enough to cover the cost and hopefully provide some benefit when the right product is used at the right rate, in the right location at the right time.
Pitfall #3: thinking you Can solve soil-Borne disease Problems with soil health
Wrapping up with the final pitfall, McGuire cautioned growers against thinking they can solve soil-borne disease problems with soil health.
“There are a lot of people out there who would like to believe we can do that. But I think the evidence leans toward soil health being helpful to soil disease problems, but it’s never going to eliminate them,” McGuire said.
While soil health can create conditions, such as better aeration or better drainage, that are going to be unfavorable to soil pathogens, conditions aren’t always in your control, McGuire explained. You can have soil that’s healthy in every other way but still have a risk of soil-borne disease.
McGuire stressed that soil health should not be confused with suppressive soil. Suppressive soils come from a biological activity in which specific microbes in the soil will suppress specific diseases, whereas soil health can be achieved without complete disease suppression.
The WSU commercial seed lot trial gives growers a look at how different seed performs under the same growing conditions.
R&H Machine provides rollers, shakers, and sprockets to t most potato, sugar beet, garlic and tomato harvesting equipment for both hook and belted chains. Our parts not only last longer, but also help prolong the life of your equipment.
Alice Pilgeram with the Montana State University Seed Potato Certification Program inspects a potato plant with symptoms of blackleg.
Max Feldman with USDA-ARS reports on his work in potato breeding and genetics.
nematodes in the northwest
Denise Keller, Editor
Understanding how much of a threat nematodes pose is an important piece of the pest management puzzle. With that in mind, researchers at Oregon State University (OSU) are studying the impact of two root-knot nematode species and their distribution across the Pacific Northwest. Gabrielle Studebaker, a master’s student at OSU, gave a progress report on her work at the OSU Potato Field Day, held June 26 in Hermiston, Oregon.
Starting her presentation with an overview of root-knot nematodes, Studebaker reminded her audience that the two root-knot nematodes
primarily seen in Pacific Northwest potato production are the Columbia root-knot nematode (Meloidogyne chitwoodi) and northern root-knot nematode (Meloidogyne hapla). The main difference between the two is seen in tuber symptoms. Columbia root-knot nematodes will cause galling on the tuber surface, while northern root-knot nematodes will not. However, both can cause blemishes beneath the tuber surface, leading to crop rejection.
nematode impact
Studebaker’s research is split between two projects. The first is a field
Samples of developmental potato variety POR17PG64-2 are on display. The highyielding variety has high chipping quality and retains its pink color after frying.
Femi Omilani, a graduate research assistant at OSU, holds tuber samples that have been inoculated with Fusarium spp. as part of his research on breeding for resistance to potato dry rot.
trial examining the impact of the two nematode species on potato yield and quality in the Pacific Northwest. In the trial, she is evaluating the impact of three densities of nematodes (0, 50 and 250 nematodes/250 cc of soil) on three potato varieties (Ranger Russet, Russet Burbank and Clearwater Russet). The trial will measure yield, internal and external tuber quality, nematode damage, final nematode densities in the soil and movement of nematodes throughout the season.
“My field trial is important so that we can understand how the different densities of nematodes translate to potato damage at the end of the season,” Studebaker said. “The densities chosen were based on counts we see often in the region, so comparing them like this allows us to get a good idea of the ramifications to having these two nematodes in the field.”
Studebaker shared results from the first year of the trial, explaining that preliminary data suggest that northern root-knot nematodes infect less than Columbia root-knot nematodes. In addition, she found that Columbia rootknot nematodes can affect yield of some varieties and will increase galling with increasing populations present in the soil. Specifically, Clearwater Russet showed decreased yield with a high density of Columbia root-knot nematodes and increased galling with increased densities.
The second year of the trial is in the ground now, and Studebaker plans to carry out the trial for one more year with results by the end of 2025.
nematode distribution
Moving on to the second part of her research, Studebaker outlined plans to quantify the numbers and distribution of the Columbia root-knot nematode and northern root-knot nematode across the Pacific Northwest.
“The mapping part of my research is valuable to growers so we can better understand where these two nematodes are present in the Pacific Northwest.
Story and photos by
Field day attendees look at root-knot nematodes under a microscope.
By the end, I will show how often we find them individually and together and better assess what risk growers may have in the region,” Studebaker said.
The research plan for this part of the project is still in development. Currently, Studebaker plans to take soil samples from fields that are going into potato in Oregon, Washington and Idaho and use the samples to map the distribution at the county level. Growers interested in providing soil samples can contact Studebaker at studebag@oregonstate. edu.
Collaborative research
Studebaker’s work focusing on collecting data about potato varieties, nematode species and action thresholds is part of a larger research effort known as PAPAS. In this program, a group of researchers are working to collect data to inform decision support systems that growers can use to guide their management decisions. For more information about PAPAS, visit potatonematodes.org.
Pilers
2016 Milestone 42” BC Elev./
49’swing boom 3ph remote
1998 Double L 831 36” BC Elev./
49’ boom 3ph Elec VFD’s remote
1991 Double L 813 30” BC Elev./ 49’ boom 3ph
1985 Double L 811 30” BC Elev./ 49’Boom 3ph
1990 Spudnik 550 30” BC Elev./ 48’ boom 3ph remote
1990 Spudnik 550 30” BC Elev./ 48’ boom 3ph remote
2004 Milestone 36” All belt Arcing / 48’ boom 3ph remote
2000 Wemco 36” All belt Arcing / 49’boom 3ph All HYD remote
2011 Lockwood 6 row Air Cup 34” semi mount hyd drive
2013 Spudnik 8069 bed planter 9 units in 6 row pull Type
2008 Spudnik 8080 Pull type cup, 8 row, 36”
2007 Spudnik 8060 hyd. Drive, 34”
seeD cutters
2014 Better Built model 400 Russet Cutter 72”
2014 Milestone 72”
2002 Better Built 72”
1989 Milestone 48” 220 Volt 1ph treaters
2018 Better Built 12” Liquid/Dry treater
2006 Milestone Liquid Treater 36”
2005 Milestone 36” Barrel duster
1994 Better Built CDT10- 8” Cannon Duster
water Dammers/ Power Hiller
2013 Ag Engineering 4 row Dammer Diker Hyd. Reset
1996 Ag Engineering 6 row Dammer Diker Hyd. Reset tote Bag fillers
2005 Mayo Single Tote filler
wareHouse Kwik Locs
Ag Pack weigher bagger
3-Even flows 9’W x 20’ x 12’ with Tilt belts Kerian Sizer- 60” with two 60” cross belts 3phase
OSU’s Ken Frost discusses diseases that can be brought into fields in or on seed potatoes.
stOrAGe essentiALs
BUyers' GUide
Agri-stor Companies
agri-stor.com
Post-Harvest Crop Protection and Climate Control
For over 60 years, Agri-Stor Company has provided quality postharvest solutions for all aspects of long-term storage. From storage and ventilation system design including equipment and service, to sprouting and disease control, Agri-Stor offers years of experience and attention to quality.
Agri-Stor’s proprietary controls provide peace of mind. With an intuitive app and historical data reporting, Agri-Stor Company provides storage audits on system design to determine that every customer’s storage is running at its maximum efficiency.
Agri-Stor Company is making a difference in the quality of stored potatoes with its customized solutions.
Forte
groupag.com
Forte Humidifiers
Forte Humidifiers have proven to be a cost-effective solution for achieving ideal humidity levels in potato storages. While being offered at a competitive price point, Forte Humidifiers produce a superior fog quality and allow for more installation options. In addition, all Forte Humidifiers have been carefully designed and constructed with materials that resist corrosion from water and acids. They can also double as chemical applicators.
groupag.com
Storage Ventilation
and Post-Harvest Chemical Application
GroupAg is a full-service post-harvest company, including potato storage ventilation and post-harvest chemical applications. The company’s proprietary application methods are efficient and effective. With industry-leading products and expertise, GroupAg can help create and maintain ideal conditions while maximizing the value of the crop through storage and shipping processes. GroupAg offers engineering expertise to design and build storage ventilation systems with industry-leading components and can also service and maintain any existing system. GroupAg represents and distributes the following: 1,4 Group, Decco, BioSafe Systems, BTU Ventilation, Forte Humidifiers, Johnson Thermal Systems, A-TEC Indirex and Caldwell/Chief.
Ventilation/Climate Control and Treatment Protection
For over 50 years, Industrial Ventilation Inc. (IVI) has put the needs of growers at the forefront of its products and services. IVI pioneered the storage control panel and its newest panel, the Sentinel, providing reliable control within 0.01 degree Fahrenheit of target set point. The Sentinel’s streamlined features are compatible with IVI’s Centurion panel and software. The Sentinel includes eight sensors, making it an efficient, affordable option. IVI’s Imperium panel offers 12 or more sensors plus expanded capabilities. IVI panels are made in the U.S. and allow growers to easily and precisely manage storage climates by controlling fans, VFDs, evaporative coolers, humidification, heaters, refrigeration equipment and Thermadoors. Users can operate on-site with touchscreen, or remotely with an app or internet.
IVI also offers an extensive line of treatments to protect and address the threat of disease. Service is backed by experience and expertise to best address the optimal outcome of stored potatoes.
Restrain Accumulator Potato Seed Treatment
The Restrain Accumulator potato seed treatment uses ethylene gas to promote stem growth out of all eyes on the potato, even size distribution and encourage earlier emergence. Ethylene is a natural plant hormone found in many plant processes. The Accumulator is a combination of ethylene concentration and temperature manipulation in storage prior to planting. Ethylene is safe for storage managers and has no effect on dormancy, and it is safe for seed. This process is valuable to potato varieties that require smaller size profiles or that have apical dominance. suberizer inc.
Storage Facilities
Suberizer Inc. is a second-generation construction company that specializes in designing and manufacturing raw product storage facilities. The company’s goal is to provide clients with a cost-effective design that meets expectations for tomorrow’s market. Suberizer’s dedication, knowledge and experience for nearly 50 years set the company apart. Suberizer has been exposed to nearly every spectrum of the potato and onion storage market. Its team addresses everything from start to finish, including project planning, storage and building design, types of construction, civil and structural engineering, ventilation system and air distribution solutions, refrigeration systems and electrical work.
stOrAGe essentiALs BUyers' GUide
teton west of idaho tetonwestconstruction.com
Steel Building Design and Construction
For nearly 50 years, Teton West of Idaho has proven itself time and time again as a reliable Eastern Idaho steel buildings contractor. By making large strides to implement modern building technology and processes into the way the company works, Teton West guarantees continued value to its customers. As the original dealer for Varco Pruden buildings and Meridian Manufacturing, Teton West and its trade partners promise that the company’s old-fashioned values coupled with an unmatched product will make customers’ construction experience a pleasurable experience.
titan steel titansteelidaho.com
Storage Buildings
Titan Steel’s buildings are designed to provide maximum efficiency and convenience for produce preservation. Engineered with the latest industry standard technology, the company offers a perfect solution for producers. With third-party climate controlled systems, paired with ventilated floors or pipe, Titan Steel buildings ensure that potatoes stay fresh and in optimal condition prior to reaching consumers.
Controlling Colorado Potato Beetle University of Idaho Researchers Study Insecticide
That Spares Beneficial Insects
By John O’Connell, University of Idaho
Anew chemical labeled for controlling Colorado potato beetle that doesn’t inadvertently harm beneficial insects should offer a much-needed weapon against the pest, according to results of a two-year University of Idaho Extension trial.
Calantha, an RNAi (RNA interference) insecticide that was recently approved by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, is sprayed on potato foliage. Once ingested by the beetles, Calantha inhibits messenger RNA involved in the production of a certain protein that is essential specifically to that pest’s survival.
Research conducted in 2020 and 2021 at the university’s Kimberly Research and Extension Center confirmed the product
University of Idaho entomologist Erik Wenninger, pictured at a recent field day, conducted research that suggests a new RNA interference insecticide should provide control of Colorado potato beetles without harming beneficial insects.
has no noticeable effect on nontarget insects, including predatory insects and spiders that feed on potato beetles and other arthropod pests.
U of I entomologist Erik Wenninger and his team received funding for the project from the chemical’s manufacturer, GreenLight Biosciences. Similar studies were also conducted by collaborators in Wisconsin and Maine.
“It should be highly specific toward potato beetles,” Wenninger said. “In two years across all three states, we saw no evidence that this product was killing anything else out there.”
Potato beetles were once abundant throughout Idaho, but their populations are now relatively small statewide thanks to modern pesticides. Due to Idaho’s light Colorado potato beetle pressure, Wenninger’s team struggled to compile statistically significant data about Calantha’s efficacy against the pest. The study shows the product offers comparable control to conventional broad-spectrum insecticides in trials in other states, such as Wisconsin and Maine, where the beetles have become more common due to the onset of insecticide resistance.
Wenninger believes it’s only a matter of time before Colorado potato beetles in Idaho develop similar resistance to commonly used insecticides that currently remain effective in the state. Calantha, which contains the active ingredient Ledprona, was recently approved as a new mode of action in Idaho and several other states.
“Historically, potato beetles were definitely a big issue in Idaho and could be again, especially if we lose some of the insecticides that work against it currently due to regulations or resistance,” Wenninger said. “Potato beetles are really good at developing resistance to insecticides.”
Potato beetles typically produce two generations per season in Idaho’s conditions. Calantha applications are most effective when made while eggs are still hatching and larvae are small. Wenninger recommends rotating Calantha with other insecticides to provide multiple modes of action and delay development of insecticide resistance.
He also advises growers to avoid planting potato fields within a quarter mile of a field that was infested with potato beetles during the prior year, noting the beetles typically walk from field to field and don’t travel extremely far.
Wenninger and Samuel DeGrey, a technician in his lab who aided in the research, plan to publish their findings soon.
BROUGHT TO YOU BY:
POTATO EXPO
JANUARY 9-10, 2025
ORLANDO
Fort Collins hosts nPC
Publisher
What do milk, football, flowers and beer have in common? If you said the National Potato Council (NPC) Summer Meeting, you’d be right. The meeting moves to a different city each year, this year making its way to Fort Collins, Colorado, on June 25-28. The meeting gives NPC leadership, potato growers and industry members a chance to discuss and set NPC agendas, network, learn, tour ag facilities and even have a bit of fun.
Home to Colorado State University (CSU) and over 20 craft breweries, Fort Collins was a good choice for learning and entertainment. Although there are no potato farms nearby, the ag tours were both educational and enjoyable, featuring trips to CSU, Canvas Stadium, a dairy farm, a flower trial garden and the founding home of Odell Brewing.
To get in on next year’s action, check out www.nationalpotatocouncil.org.
Story and photos by Dave Alexander,
NPC President Bob Mattive (standing) addresses attendees in the state-of-the-art, round Bernard Rollin Knowledge Well Classroom. The room was built to keep students engaged.
NPC Summer Meeting attendees pose for a group shot at Canvas Stadium, home of the Colorado State Rams football team.
Morning Fresh Dairy Farm hosts a tour for NPC, showing the steps involved in delivering fresh milk to customers.
Networking is a main attraction at every conference and meeting, and the NPC Summer Meeting is no exception.
NPC Summer Meeting attendees prepare to taste flavored milk and yogurt at Morning Fresh Dairy Farm.
From left, Gary Roth speaks at a meeting as Ritchey Toevs and Dan Chin listen in.
ThePotato Country turns 40
Potato Country staff has been attending field days since the inception of the magazine 40 years ago. For those of us who work in an office, there is something rewarding about getting out in the field and getting our hands dirty. A day or two not spent in front of a computer is a day or two well spent.
Since this issue of the magazine features Oregon State University and Washington State University field days, we thought it would be fun to take a look at past field days, so we dug through our photo archives for the images displayed here. The research has changed a lot through the years, but field days really haven’t. One can still get outside, see some spuds and maybe even enjoy a free doughnut.
If you have an old photo that you think would make a good addition to an upcoming 40th anniversary issue of Potato Country, email it to editor@columbiamediagroup.com.
2003: Harold Crose shows growers a jar of polymer used to halt erosion.
2001: From left, Paul Gross, Bill Gross and Steve Benning see how their seed fared at a seed lot trial near Othello, Wash.
Date unknown: From left, Vaughn Garza, Kelly Watts, Dick Schisler and Eli Wollman examine drip-irrigated potatoes at Kent Farms in Othello, Wash.
2000: A rainy day at the WSU seed lot trial viewing makes for muddy fields.
2002: Field day attendees check out spuds.
2002: Richard Smith digs red potatoes for NPC onlookers.
2002: Brian Andersen with Clearwater Supply speaks at a field day.
1996: Visitors view a mosaic field trial.
1998: Potato industry members attend a field day in Washington.
2000: Onlookers learn about pesticide results.
Colorado Certified Potato Growers Association
RUSSET VARIETIES:
Russet Norkotah S3
Russet Norkotah S8
Rocky Mountain Russet
Silverton Russet
Rio Grande Russet
Canela Russet
Mesa Russet
Mercury Russet
Fortress Russet
Crimson King
COLORED VARIETIES:
Columbine Gold
Colorado Rose
Rio Colorado
Red Luna
Purple Majesty
Masquerade
Mountain Rose
Vista Gold
Seed Growers:
Zapata Seed Company
Worley Family Farms
SLV Research Center
San Acacio Seed
Salazar Farms
Rockey Farms, LLC
Pro Seed
Price Farms Certified Seed, LLC
Palmgren Farms, LLC
Martinez Farms
La Rue Farms
H&H Farms
G&G Farms
Bothell Seed
Allied Potato
Protecting Us Growers From Potato wart: An Urgent Call for Action
By Kam Quarles, CEO, National Potato Council
U.S.
agriculture faces numerous challenges, and one of the most destructive is a pest or disease that is extremely difficult or impossible to eradicate. One disease facing the potato industry, “potato wart,” embodies exactly that perilous risk to U.S. growers, demanding immediate and decisive action.
Bipartisan members of the U.S. Senate, led by Senate Finance Committee Ranking Member Mike Crapo (R-Idaho) and Chair Ron Wyden (D-Oregon), issued an urgent appeal in July to the USDA to implement additional mitigation measures to prevent the introduction of Prince Edward Island potato wart into the United States.
The stakes couldn’t be higher for American potato growers. “If potato wart should enter the United States, our farmers and the communities they support will be economically devastated,” cautioned the senators. With 20 percent of our potato crop – valued at over $2 billion – exported annually, the introduction of this disease could shut off access to international markets and curtail domestic production and sales. This isn’t just a theoretical risk; Canada has already seen the devastating effects of potato wart in Newfoundland, where the disease has rendered potato production infeasible.
Potato wart is a highly destructive
disease caused by the pathogen Synchytrium endobioticum. It primarily affects potatoes, deforming tubers and significantly reducing yield. Unlike other plant pathogens, potato wart can persist in the soil for decades, making eradication nearly impossible once it takes hold. Should it enter the U.S., the consequences would be catastrophic –from severe economic losses for growers to the potential closure of international markets.
Following expanded detections of potato wart in 2021 in Prince Edward Island (PEI), the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) and USDA held talks and initially agreed to close the U.S. market to PEI potatoes due to the disease threat. However, this closure was shortlived, and the market was reopened, except for seed potatoes, following discussions between Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and President Joe Biden.
Current and proposed mitigation plans fall short of providing long-term protection to U.S. growers. The senators’ July letter urges the USDA to take swift action by:
• Restricting bulk shipments into the U.S. to smaller-sized packages
• Limiting large retail shipments and ensuring consumers know they are for consumption rather than cultivation
• Controlling the waste generated by processing facilities
“For nearly three years, the U.S. potato industry has been demanding
action from the administration to reduce this huge threat to our growers and all the economic activity they generate,” said Dean Gibson, National Potato Council’s vice president of legislative affairs and a potato grower from Paul, Idaho, in response to the senators’ letter.
These steps are crucial but must be part of a broader, more comprehensive strategy. Beyond the actions that the USDA can take immediately, the National Potato Council recognizes that the CFIA has proposed various actions to address the disease after potato wart has been detected in a field. However, one action CFIA is not requiring of PEI growers is ensuring that shipments are coming from fields surveyed and found free of potato wart. This is particularly strange as Canada has required the U.S. to test fields clean for phytosanitary issues in the past.
The time for action is now. The USDA must implement more stringent measures to protect U.S. potato growers and the thousands of jobs supported by the industry. The additional steps proposed by the senators, coupled with comprehensive field surveys and stricter import regulations, will go a long way toward ensuring that the U.S. remains free from potato wart.
American farmers and their communities depend on swift, decisive action. We urge the USDA to prioritize these measures to protect one of our most vital agricultural industries.
Jh Biotech Forms nonprofit Focused on Prevention Agriculture
JH Biotech, Inc. has launched the International Prevention Agriculture Institute (IPAI). The nonprofit organization aims to raise global awareness of land degradation, advocate for sustainable agricultural development, and ensure long-term food security by fostering a healthier ecosystem.
“Prevention before correction” is the cornerstone of the IPAI philosophy. Through research, field trials, and partnerships with universities and other companies, the IPAI plans to develop and deliver best practices, including programs for integrated crop management, integrated pest management and integrated health management.
wPC Announces 2026, 2028
Meeting Locations
Following this summer’s World Potato Congress (WPC) in Australia, the WPC has announced the locations of the next two events.
World Potato Congress 2026 will take place in Gdansk, Poland. Set for late June 2026, the event will include field tours, farm visits and interactive workshops led by local experts. The 2026 congress was originally planned for Nairobi, Kenya, but organizers decided that more planning time is needed before hosting the event there.
In 2028, the WPC is set to make its mark in Ghent, Belgium. Scheduled to take place in late November 2028, the event will feature a series of potato-focused activities leading up to Interpom, an international trade fair dedicated to the potato sector.
wsPC welcomes new Commissioners, elects Chair
The Washington State Potato Commission (WSPC) has elected Kraig Knutzen of Burlington, Washington, as the 2024-25 chair. Knutzen has served in various roles with the commission including chair of the Government Affairs committee, member of the Marketing and Industry Affairs Committee and the Executive Committee.
Knutzen is joined on the commission by five new commissioners: Brandon Schaapman, Tyler Tschirky, Blaine Meek, Damon Christensen and Greg Ebe. They replace retiring commissioners Heath Gimmestad, Chris Olsen, Mark Hammer and Roger Hawley, and the late Mike Madsen.
UsdA Grants $50 Million Potato surplus Commodity Purchase
The USDA Agricultural Marketing Service has made a $50 million surplus commodity purchase for potatoes in an effort to deal with the oversupply of potatoes from the 2023 growing year. The purchase was made through the USDA’s surplus commodity purchasing (Section 32) authority. USDA Section 32 purchases may be used in programs such as the National School Lunch Program, Nutrition Program for the Elderly, Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations, soup kitchens and food banks, summer camps and disaster feeding.
nov. 13-14
Montana seed Potato seminar
Holiday Inn Missoula, Mont. www.mtseedpotatoseminar.com
nov. 13-14
Pacific northwest vegetable Association Conference and trade show
Three Rivers Convention Center Kennewick, Wash.
Sheri Nolan, (509) 585-5460 or www.pnva.org
Jan. 9-10
Potato expo
World Center Marriot Orlando, Florida
www.potato-expo.com
Jan. 22-23
idaho Potato Conference and Ag expo
Pond Student Union Building and Holt Arena
Pocatello, Idaho
Kristy Mayer, kristym@uidaho.edu
Jan. 28-30
washington-Oregon Potato Conference
Three Rivers Convention Center Kennewick, Wash. www.potatoconference.com
Editor’s note: To have your event listed, please email Denise Keller at editor@ columbiamediagroup.com. Please send your information 90 days in advance.
Kraig Knutzen
north American Growers reduce
USDAreports that U.S. growers planted 941,000 acres of potatoes in 2024. That is 24,000 fewer acres than they planted a year ago, a 2.5 percent reduction. The largest reported reductions came in Washington, Idaho and Oregon.
Preliminary data from Canada show that growers in that country planted 393,592 acres of potatoes this year. That is down 3,610 acres, or 0.9 percent, from the 2023 potato area.
The combined North American potato area is 1.335 million acres, down 27,610 acres, or 2 percent, from the 2023 crop. Since 2020, Canadian potato acreage has expanded by 9.1 percent, while U.S. potato acreage increased by 2.3 percent relative to 2020 levels. Overall, the total North American potato acreage is 54,226 acres more than it was for the 2020 crop.
Abandonment
USDA projects this year’s harvested area at 937,200 acres. That is 23,000 fewer acres than growers harvested in 2023, a 2.4 percent decline. A year ago, U.S. growers abandoned 4,800 acres of potatoes, 0.5 percent of the planted acreage. During the previous five years, abandonment has averaged 1.2 percent of the U.S. potato area.
Canadian growers abandoned 10,131 acres of potatoes during 2023 due to heavy rainfall in the eastern provinces and limited storage space in Alberta. That
was 2.6 percent of all potatoes planted. Abandonment averaged 1.3 percent during the previous three years. Because there have been only a few reports of abandonment so far this growing season, we have held our estimate of Canadian abandonment at 1.5 percent. Canada’s 2024 harvested area would be 387,688 acres.
Based on these harvested acreage estimates, the combined North American 2024 harvested acreage would be 1.325 million acres, down 1.7 percent from 2023 levels.
yields, Potential Production
The U.S. long-term trend yield is 461 cwt per acre. That is up from the current estimate for last year’s yield, 459 cwt per acre. Using the trend yield and projected abandonment, the U.S. would be expected to produce 432.5 million cwt of potatoes during 2024. That is 8.3 million cwt, or 1.9 percent, less than 2023 production. If realized, the 2024 potato crop would be 3 percent larger than the five-year average.
Canada’s average potato yield has increased by about 3.6 cwt per acre per year for the past 10 years. The trend yield for the 2024 crop is 327.5 cwt per acre. The current yield estimate for last year’s crop is 332.8 cwt per acre, 5.3 cwt above trendline. With a trend yield and estimated abandonment, Canada would produce a 127 million cwt crop during 2024. That would fall 1.8 million cwt, or 1.4 percent, short of 2023 production.
North American potato production could decline slightly, given this year’s acreage reduction. Estimated abandonment and trend yields suggest that North America’s 2024 potato crop could total 559.4 million cwt. That would fall 10.1 million cwt, or 1.8 percent, below 2023 production. However, it would be 23.1 million cwt, or 4.3 percent, more than the five-year average production for the U.S. and Canada combined.
Using trendline yields and average abandonment is a good place to start
estimating total production. It only takes average growing conditions to produce a trendline yield. However, there are many other factors that can and will impact potato production between the time I write this article and the time you read it. A lot can happen before harvest is complete.
Spring planting conditions were mostly favorable across North America. Growers in several major growing regions were able to plant a week or two earlier than usual. As a result, crop development is ahead of schedule in most areas. Early-summer growing conditions were nearly ideal in Idaho and in the Columbia Basin; however, the July heat wave probably held back yields. Spring rains improved the irrigation situation in Alberta, though water supplies are still extremely tight. Growing conditions in the Prairie Provinces have been mostly favorable, but growers do not expect a repeat of last year’s record-breaking yields. Considering these factors, North American potato production could end up on either side of trend yield projections.
Potential Price impacts
Frozen processing raw product supplies have been plentiful as the industry transitions to the 2024 crop. French fry and other frozen product sales have been relatively strong. Fryers reduced Pacific Northwest contract volumes for the 2024 crop, especially for earlyharvested varieties. Growers in Idaho, Washington, Oregon and Alberta planted 22,600 fewer acres of potatoes than they did a year ago, a 3.7 percent reduction. USDA reports that Idaho reduced potato acreage by 5,000 acres. Washington and Oregon cut back acreage by 10,000 acres and 3,000 acres, respectively. Alberta planted 4,600 fewer acres of potatoes this year. Contract volumes and processing acreage appear to be relatively stable in most other areas, though Manitoba growers reduced their planted area by 2,400 acres. Below break-even open-market prices
Potato Acreage
have encouraged growers in the Pacific Northwest and other areas to cut back on russet potato production. However, if USDA’s planted area estimates are correct, russet table potato supplies could be abundant during the 2024-25 marketing year. Growers in the Pacific Northwest planted 18,000 fewer acres of potatoes than they did last year. Trendline yields would result in a 2.8 percent reduction in Pacific Northwest potato production. Idaho’s 5,000-acre reduction combined with a trend yield would boost that state’s total production to 145.1 million cwt, slightly larger than the 2023 crop. Canadian growers did not cut back significantly on russet table potato acreage in 2024. Canada’s russet table potato production could increase if yields rebound in Prince Edward Island, New Brunswick and Quebec. Marketers will be challenged to hold and/ or increase prices during August and September as the harvest gets underway.
summary
Most of this year’s reduction in potato acreage is for processing potatoes. Demand and production are down for early processing varieties. Abundant raw product supplies from the 2023 crop have supported an increase in both domestic frozen product usage and French fry exports. French fry production could continue to increase during the next 12 months. However, economic uncertainty and consumer demand will likely have a large impact on sales.
Putting numbers into Context
By Dale Lathim, Potato Growers of Washington
The frozen potato industry’s current supply and demand dynamics are facing a somewhat similar dilemma of perception versus reality. Recently, many headlines have stated that the softening of foot traffic in many restaurants that offer frozen potato products is leading to significant reductions in the volume
"To expect a mature industry like the frozen potato products industry to continue on the trajectory that it has been the past four years is not realistic."
have since heard many times from others – is that perception is reality. If someone perceives that you might have done something wrong, you might as well have done it because they will believe that you did, even in the absence of any proof.
of frozen potato products being sold. The news pointed to the economy as the main reason this was occurring.
When one digs deep to look into this scenario, it quickly becomes apparent that one thing does not necessarily correlate to the other. For instance, if foot traffic declines at restaurants, it does not necessarily mean that frozen potato product sales will decrease. What the consumers who do come in the door purchase is what determines that. So if the attachment rate of fries to each order goes up, there may be fewer customers, but the actual sales of fries could increase. Conversely, if foot traffic goes up but a fad such as the Atkins diet deters consumers from ordering fries as we saw in the early 2000s, fewer pounds of fries are sold despite more people coming through the door.
Also, one must consider the timeframe from which we are comparing the numbers. Is it more or fewer people this week, this month or this year? Or are we making a comparison to a period of time such as a year ago, or maybe an average of the past several years?
So, talk of softening sales of frozen potato products at restaurants made for some great headlines. However,
the fact of the matter is that during the timeframe that the articles covered, more frozen potato products were being consumed in the United States. How is that possible? Well, I am not going to say that the numbers being quoted in the stories are not true. They may be, although I have not found a single source that has similar data.
Even if production in the United States, or specifically the Columbia Basin, is less than it had been in a recent time period, it does not necessarily mean that consumption is down. We need to bear in mind that more than 25 percent of the frozen potato products consumed in the U.S. are imported. The majority of the imports come from Canada, but we also have an ever increasing volume arriving from the EU.
When you put it all together, our great industry is continuing to grow, but admittedly, at a slower rate than it had been. To expect a mature industry like the frozen potato products industry to continue on the trajectory that it has been the past four years is not realistic. Also, as the overall volume grows, each tenth of a percent of gain (or loss) is exponentially larger. So a single major restaurant having a 0.7 percent reduction in second quarter sales versus the same calendar quarter a year ago may point to something serious. But when you look at that quarter last year, it was up 12.1 percent over that same quarter the year before, which was up over the previous year.
As we all know, numbers can be deceiving if they are not in context. That’s why at Potato Growers of Washington, we try hard to give you the most up-to-date, unvarnished numbers available. What you and your fellow growers do with those numbers is up to you. But rest assured that we will never spin anything because our success completely relies on our credibility, and that is our bond to you.
